Wild Prairie Rose is a 2016 drama directed by Deborah LaVine. The film follows Rose (played by Tara Samuel), a young hearing woman living in rural South Dakota in the 1950s who aspires to become a country singer. Rose spends most of her days taking care of her father, Milt (played by Troy Kotsur), who lost his hearing in World War II, and helping out on the family farm.
One day, Rose meets a deaf man named Wes (played by Suanne Spoke) who has moved to town to start a new life. Despite the language barrier, Rose and Wes quickly form a friendship through their mutual love of music. Wes teaches Rose sign language and how to communicate without speaking, and Rose inspires Wes to chase his own dreams of becoming a photographer.
As Rose begins to pursue her music career and play gigs around town, she faces pushback from her traditional father who disapproves of her singing in public. Meanwhile, Wes struggles to find work as a deaf man in a hearing world and faces discrimination from those who don't understand his disability.
The film explores themes of disability, communication, and pursuing one's passions despite societal expectations. The performances by the three leads are heartfelt and engaging, particularly the chemistry between Samuel and Spoke as they navigate their friendship and relationship as two people from different worlds.
The cinematography also captures the beauty of the South Dakota landscape, from sprawling fields to dusty small towns. The film incorporates original music that adds to the authenticity of the setting and the characters' experiences.
Overall, Wild Prairie Rose is a thoughtful and compelling drama that offers a glimpse into a unique time and place in American history while exploring universal themes of human connection and pursuing one's dreams. The film is a testament to the power of communication and the importance of understanding and supporting those who are different from us.
Wild Prairie Rose is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.